February 24, 2014

8:17 Kasich: “Government certainly has a role in all of this, but we’ve all experienced the limits of government effectiveness when it comes to solving tough problems. It’s going to take you and me and our neighbors..." Speech ends at 8:17.

8:13 A big-time feel good moment for the governor as he presents the medals to the three women who are honored for their courage. "Wow," Kasich says, as he returns to the microphone to finish up his speech.

8:11 Kasich giving Ohio Courage medals to Amanda Berry, Gina de Jesus and Michelle Knight, who survived years in captivity in Cleveland. The three are now onstage, getting a loud standing ovation and cheers from the audience.

8:08 Kasich going off script to talk about his faith and his search for what the Lord wants him to do.

8:04 Kasich: Our greatest purpose is to help Ohioans find a job. "Because of what we have already accomplished, today I can say that the State of the State is stronger, more hopeful, more optimistic, more excited and more confident here in the state of Ohio." That brings Republicans and much of the crowd to its feet.

8:03 Ohio has become known as one of the worst in the nation at dedicating money for tobacco cessation, after lawmakers over the years diverted money away from those programs. Kasich says he wants to dedicate new tobacco settlement funds to the fight against this addiction, to help drive down our medical costs and improve Ohioans’ health.

7:57 Kasich says he is not forgetting those who do not have work. Points out those with mental health issues and drug addiction. Wants to provide help and more safe places for mental illness. Notes that for addicts, "the devil never leaves their shoulder," and he's telling some sad stories of addiction. He and lawmakers worked to shut down pill mills, but Ohio's prescription drug abuse problem has morphed into a major heroin problem. Kasich talks up his new Start Talking anti-drug program, an effort to give kids more facts about drugs. "We've got to build the courage and stength in people to say no." He wants the program in every school.

7:53 Kasich notes that he brought higher education officials together to prioritize construction spending, and refocused state funding on graduation rates. These are not small things. Says he will soon introduce the last pieces of the plan. These promises of future legislation is expected to be rolled into Kasich’s mid-biennial review, which could be released next week. Kasich wants to do more to give veterans college and academic credit for their military training and experience, and do it for free. That will play well with lawmakers.

7:50 Kasich promises a package of vocational education proposals.

7:48 Lots of Twitter debate about school funding right now. Kasich and Republicans note that education funding got its largest funding increase in a decade in the last two-year budget, and the total funding reached a record level. That is true, but it needs some context. Yes, Ohio in the two-year budget will reach record spending levels for K-12 education, but the increase came on the heels of record funding cuts in the last two-year budget. Total funding for daily school operations is $7.4 billion this year -- $296 million less than what the state spent in 2009, the previous high mark. Spending grows to $7.8 billion in 2015. That means next year, Ohio will spend 1.9 percent more than what it spent in 2009. So while school officials may say it’s trending in the right direction, a 1.9 percent increase over five years is not a figure most are celebrating.

7:45 Kasich gets bipartisan standing ovation when he asks if he will get help with his dropouts initiative.

7:44 On dropouts, Kasich promises an effort more focused than ever. Kasich wants to use $10 million in casino licensing fees to create a program to bring together schools, parents, community organizations, faith-based groups and others. It would be a $3 state match for every $1 locally. He wants to see creative plans developed. Schools are regularly clamoring for more parental involvement in education, and the lack of it is often cited a key reason why students fail. But $10 million could spread thin over the entire state. Will be interesting to see what is developed.

7:40 Kasich says he will soon unveil ideas to target at-risk kids to keep them from dropping out. He wants districts to craft alternative plans for these students to reach a diploma, possibly including real-life job training. If a student doesn't want to learn the math or writing, let them go to the body shop. There they will learn why they need to learn to write and do math.

7:38 Kasich says he told cabinet that we have to help our minority business partners in this state. “We are going to help minority businesses to succeed and thrive in the state of Ohio. We are going to get it done.” That brings out a bipartisan standing ovation, led by a number of black caucus members.

7:34 Kasich said he will propose more tax cuts to get “Ohio’s tax rate below 5 percent.” What he is referring to is the top income tax rate, which will be 5.3 percent once the three-year income tax cut passed as part of the budget fully phases in at 10 percent. It’s key to note that rate is paid only on income earned above $203,000. About 2.5 percent of Ohioans make more than that. The vast majority of Ohioans already pay an effective state income tax rate of 3 percent or less. Kasich says that over 19 years, more than $12 billion in income has left Ohio for states with lower income taxes. He says lower taxes, better regulations part of plan that has improved Ohio's business climate.

7:32 Kasich highlights the work to attract a Nestle pizza plant from Chicago to Solon. Says company officials praised the JobsOhio team. Kasich says it's proof JobsOhio is working. Dems would counter that overall jobs numbers, and some recent losses (Ormet) may paint a different picture.

7:30 Kasich: “The clouds are beginning to move apart.” Bright light is starting to shine through. Kasich moving on to talking about jobs, says people are shocked about Ohio's financial situaiton. Compares our situation to D.C., where Kasich was once a congressman. "I wonder if (Washington) is on the same planet as the rest of us." Hmmmm...2016 Watch.

7:28 Kasich runs down efforts to help those in need, such as those with disabilities, addiction, and mental illness. Also taking on human trafficking. The addiction issue has been a big one particularly for the Ohio House, which has been moving a variety of bills.

7:25 Kasich mentions 170,000 new jobs – those are private sector jobs. Public sector losses have cut into those for the overall total. Ohio's job growth rate continues to lag the national average. Kasich also mentions that he’s proud of the work he’s doing with Columbus Mayor Coleman to reform the city’s schools. Work was done, but voters by a wide margin defeated a levy that went along with those reforms. Columbus Schools are hoping new management means things will be looking up in the future. Kasich invites anyone else to bring a reform plan to him to help schools.

7:22 Kasich gives shout-out to Ukranian people protesting and working to change the government there while facing armed soldiers in the street. Hmmm...2016 on the mind?

7:19 As he often does, Kasich talks about the multi-billion budget shortfall, hundreds of thousands of lost jobs and drained rainy day fund that Ohio faced as it came out of the Great Recession. Today Ohio has a $1.5 billion rainy day fund and Republicans have cut the income tax and eliminated the estate tax. Says nobody got special treatment. Democrats, however, often note that schools and local governments have taken a financial pounding as a result of state cuts.

7:17 Kasich is reading from prepared remarks, something he started doing during his last State of the State speech, after he was criticized for a meandering, unscripted speech the year before. Talking about Medina, Kasich notes that a U.S. Representative from the city, HG Blake, as a freshman in 1860 introduced a resolution to abolish slavery. “He was impatient and probably a bit of a pot-stirrer—I think we would have gotten along just fine.”

7:15 Gov. Kasich takes a swig of water and is off. He starts off recognizing Speaker Batchelder, who has long been known as a strong supporter of the Ohio Highway Patrol – and can occasionally be seen wearing a Patrol pin on his lapel. Kasich says the Medina Highway Patrol Post will be named after Batchelder.

7:10 Gov. Kasich is entering the room from the back, led by a group of lawmakers. Plenty of handshakes as he goes down the aisle.

7:06 The hometown audience begins by honoring Speaker William Batchelder, who is serving in his 38th and final year as a member of the Ohio House. Long standing ovation.

6:58 We're getting ready to begin the speech. Medina High School has a nice auditorium. As has become tradition with Gov. Kasich, he will stand before a giant Ohio flag. I assume this one will be donated to the school as he has done with previous ones.

Gov. John Kasich will deliver his fourth State of the State speech tonight at 7 p.m. from Medina High School. As he has done in the previous two speeches, Kasich has taken his speech on the road, this time to the hometown of House Speaker William G. Batchelder, who is serving his 38th and final year in the Ohio General Assembly. It’s not unusual for Kasich’s speeches to stretch an hour or more. Some expect a rundown of past accomplishments and a look ahead to efforts on additional income tax cuts and moving people out of poverty.

Earlier today, Kasich’s cabinet held meetings around Medina, and the House Health Committee also met in town. Lawmakers attended a pair of receptions in town. A union-led protest has gathered on the sidewalk outside the school, while a billboard truck criticizing Kasich has been driving around Medina much of the day.

February 21, 2014

House Speaker John Boehner has bought an $835,000 condo in southern Florida, which immediately sparked talk that the West Chester Republican is ready to retire. Not so, said Michael Steel, a Boehner spokesman. In a statement to Politico.com -- which broke the story -- Steel said “this area of Florida has been the Boehners’ family vacation spot for many years, and rather than continue to put money into vacation rentals year after year, they decided to buy a condo. Their home is in West Chester, Ohio, and will continue to be.”

Privately and publicly, those close to Boehner insist he will run for re-election to his seat and as speaker. He has been raising campaign money and his party is expected to retain control of the House in the November elections. In addition, Boehner sat down this month for an extensive interview with reporters from the Dayton Daily News, an area of the state that includes his district. It is difficult to believe he would agree to such a rare interview if he planned to retire.

But . . . balanced against that is the fact that arch conservatives are upset with Boehner because he is not willing to shut down the federal government in budget disputes with President Barack Obama. And he has sent positive signals about immigration reform, another no-no among conservatives.